Eventually, everyone experiences an incident of having a bad taste in the mouth even after brushing and flossing. Not only is this an embarrassing situation, but it can undermine your confidence. After all, who wants to talk to another person only to see him inching backwards to avoid the telltale smell that typically accompanies a mouth that tastes something unpleasant? If you have a bad taste after brushing and flossing, it could be serious.
What Can Cause a Bad Taste After Brushing and Flossing?
If you’ve been experiencing a bad taste after brushing and flossing, it’s probably not the fact that you picked up the wrong tube when brushing your teeth. It is likely it is a side effect or a symptom. A bad taste after brushing and flossing can be caused by taking certain kinds of medication that dry out the mouth by reducing the flow of saliva. A dry mouth often creates a bad taste that lingers even after brushing and flossing.
If you aren’t currently taking any medication, you might have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Oral infections include gum disease and tooth abscesses arising from severe decay. Until the infection is cleared up, you are probably going to continue to have a bad taste after brushing and flossing.
Trauma to the head or nerves in the mouth can lead to a bad taste after brushing and flossing. In some cases, this will resolve itself, but it might take several months or longer to do so.
Systemic diseases can lead to the lingering of a bad taste after brushing and flossing have taken place. They include gastro-intestinal disorders such as GERD and kidney diseases. If you suspect that one of these is the cause, you should visit your physician as soon as possible.
Tips on How to Eliminate the Bad Taste After Brushing and Flossing Don’t Work
Since bacteria hide in the crevices of the tongue, it is possible that the bad taste after brushing and flossing is coming from that. Purchase a tongue scraper and use it daily. Drink plenty of water to rinse away food debris and bacteria. If this strategy does not work, visit your dentist.
